Through the Never

by J. A. Culican

  “Do you remember when we sought to get the largest caldron for the best mead ever?” Loki began. “That is how this trip is surely going to be. Paramount to our success, will be working in tandem with each other and remaining silent. Now pay attention, Baldr, there shall be no declaration of love shouted out across the field. You must use your head and not your heart.”

  “I will subdue that threat,” Baldr began, “and no one will remember Melqart. Instead, since he has given ear to the Romans, his name will be erased, replaced by the Greek Hercules, and those of Carthage will live freely.”

  They made their way to the camp, deep in the dark forests in the land of giants. Camp fires burned, and joviality seemed contagious, as the men chatted, sung and carried on as if they had no cares.

  Almost everyone.

  Baldr’s gaze fell on Nanna, again in her human form, curled up as tight into a ball as possible in her small cage. Soldiers poked her with sticks in hopes of gaining a reaction.

  “Did you see that? He wished for us to squabble over you,” said one soldier.

  “It doesn’t matter,” another responded. “Soon you will be tied to that spit there, being sacrificed to the greater good. Once the giants arrive, the ceremony can commence, and your heart will go to good use, too.”

  The first soldier frowned. “How is it that you know all of this?”

  “I pay attention when things are said around me.”

  “Sort of dimwitted to tell the prisoner the plan of things, don’t you think? You don’t tell a buck you’re going to kill it before you do, and you don’t tell a prisoner exactly how she will die. Death is enough of a question.”

  “How do we know that she has this heart of Ymir’s?”

  “I don’t!” Nanna interrupted. “That is a rumor. I have no such thing.”

  “How’d she become the dragon then if she didn’t absorb the heart? There are only two ways—Ymir, and Melqart’s blood, and since Melqart wasn’t answering her call, I doubt that she’s even caught a whiff of the green goo.”

  “Green, you say? He bleeds green?”

  “I really can’t listen to this nonsense anymore,” Loki said, moving into the shadows and quickly and silently slitting the throats of the two men. He pushed their corpses into a tent.

  “Is he always that impulsive?” Baldr asked Thor.

  “He is not known for his patience,” Thor said, “but a truer companion I could not have.”

  “You two are like brothers.”

  “Sometimes, but Loki still requires a strong hand at others. He needs to bend his knee every once in a while.”

  Before they could move up to release Nanna, another group of soldiers arrived and picked up her cage.

  “I smell giants,” Thor said.

  “How can you smell giants?” Loki asked. “It is not like giants are flowers, or even moss from the river bed. They are living beings.”

  “They are giants and they make my hands itchy.”

  “Let us not be hasty,” Baldr said, and watched in horror as the soldiers moved the cage toward what appeared to be a makeshift altar. The symbol of a flame, the same as that which appeared on Melqart’s banner was carved into the structure.

  “Good, good,” Melqart appeared from the forest’s edge. “You have put me through enough on this day, Nanna.” He removed the dragon wort rope from her hands and yanked her out of the cage.

  He bent her over the wooden altar, as if he planned to have his way with her. His hands roamed up her body, groping her. “I will kill you,” she whispered, and Baldr heard her.

  “Stay still!” Melqart waved over four soldiers. They flipped her over onto her back. Each held down one of her four limbs. “I do not require that pretty head, just the heart.” He raised his knife, and just as he was about to thrust it into her chest, a fire bomb erupted not far from the altar’s site.

  Chaos erupted in the camp. No one knew which way to look, or saw the invisible threats of Loki and Thor, who just wanted to use his hammer.

  The soldiers loosened their grip enough, and in the blink of an eye, Baldr watched Nanna change again into the large beast. With fire in her throat, she opened her mouth and blew as hard as she could, allowing orange and blue flames to create human candles. They lit up the night as bright as day, but Melqart remained. He jumped back from towering over her, and with the knife he’d used before, the same one drenched in dragon wort, he pointed it at her. Baldr raced forward and tackled him to the ground.

  As he rolled to the side, Melqart stared at the dragon hovering above him. He raised his dagger and repeatedly stabbed her. The dragon tried to shake it off, but the blade remained jammed into her side.

  Baldr couldn’t get close as the beast stalked Melqart, who attempted to use magic against her, but found it repelled by what could have been dark forces. Instead, the dragon took her chance: powerful jaws came crashing down on Melqart, and he disappeared in one large gulp.

  Nanna, somewhere in the Myrkviðr Forest

  Everything around me slowed, and I felt the poison moving rapidly through my system. Unable to keep the dragon form, I shifted to my human shape. Blood seeped from my side and I fell to my knees.

  Despite the fire, the lightning that must have been Thor’s influence in the battle, I could barely stand on my feet. The conscripted soldiers ignored me, and the gathered giants raced away, as Thor must have given chase.

  “Annôn,” Baldr whispered. He said my name like a caress, and it touched something deep within. That which I’d been holding on to, afraid to let anyone touch, I wanted him to touch my soul, my heart and cradle it with care. My hand moved out to touch his face. Relief settled in me. I didn’t want to die alone in a strange place. Instead, I took his hand and held it. My body began to shake as a shiver raced through me. “You will not die,” he told me.

  “I will not dishonor you even more than I have. If today is the day of death, then I must accept it.”

  He drew a knife across his wrist and placed the wound to my mouth. “Drink,” he commanded.

  I drank the blood that he willingly gave, taking just enough for me to move again.

  “We can’t stay here. Surely Baal’s camp will turn back if Melqart doesn’t show up in time,” I said.

  “I was not going to let you perish for my insolence. I never should have looked upon you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Baldr sighed. “For months, I’ve lived in your dreams. Every night I’d visit you in your sleep, and we’d have grand adventures. Sometimes it was a simple trip to the sea to hear the waves. Other times, it was just us talking about places and events that could never be.”

  “But why?”

  “Why did I watch, or why did I come for you?” Baldr asked.

  “Both.”

  “Melqart mentioned you to me one day as our fathers were busy discussing their alliance, and I took a peek. You were beautiful and I couldn’t get you out of my mind.”

  “And?”

  “But that is not what had me come for you. It was when I found out that Melqart was not going to answer your prayers. Swords would come and mow everyone down. I could not allow that, let you perish.”

  “Dear Baldr, although I am thankful for your help, I don’t know you.”

  He bowed and looked at his feet.

  “But I’d like to get to know you.” I smiled at him and felt destiny’s tug anew, the beauty of what it could be. And right then that was all we could ask for, a chance to prove that something beautiful could exist between us, if given the chance.

  “We will not be able to stay here, though. This battle means that we must leave Asgard, go into exile.”

  I understood the relationship between him and his parents would be strained after this. I could only hope that his father wouldn’t feel compelled to find him. The All-Father might not see it now, but Baldr was not a coward or a fool. He wasn’t a child who needed to find his way. Time would pass and he’d learn all that he needed to know, but right now, we
needed to figure this out.

  “Where shall we go?” I asked.

  “Simple. Back to Carthage. We have a town to save from the Roman invasion.”

  “You think I’m going to be able to shift there, too?”

  He lifted me up and placed my arm around his neck. We trudged back across the river.

  “I think we’ll find out. We’ll survive this together, and all we have to do is remember we are stronger together than apart. I need you to survive there, and you will need me, as well. Your dragon is connected to me, for when you drink from me, there appears to be a connection formed.

  “We will have to go slowly, Baldr.” I wasn’t talking about our current journey, but that of the heart.

  “I promise to go slowly, but you are going to love me.” He whispered it like it was an embrace, and I felt every syllable of his determination and unwavering affection, and smiled at his answer.

  “Yes, I find nothing more attractive than a man who has wit, and who knows how to use a blade.”

  “Keep talking and you are going to pierce this heart.”

  Feeling stronger, I thread my arm through his. Conflict would be coming after us. We’d face threats on every side—a war against the pantheons and their faithful servants.

  In the end, we’d either drown in the blood of consequence or thrive in pure freedom. Together we would defeat the darkness rising. Cleanse away the pantheon’s chafe.

  Or sacrifice everything trying.

  Only time would tell.

  He’d be my god, and I’d be his Dragon Queen.

  The End

  Continue the journey with the dragons in A Dragon’s Destiny.

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  About the Author

  TINA GLASNECK enjoys creating tales combing the fantastical with historical elements, mythology, and time travel. A theologian by training, and forever a student by choice, she’s living the dream by using all that she has learned during her humanities and history courses, and through her extensive trips abroad. Most of all, she is enjoying bringing history to life.

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  Rodan’s Awakening

  Sharolyn G. Brown

  Rodan’s Awakening © 2017 Sharolyn G. Brown

  * * *

  All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Rodan’s Awakening

  The person Rodan was going to be died when she survived her family’s massacre.

  Rodan is living a simple life in her farming village when everyone she loves is massacred by an enemy they didn’t fear. As one of only a few survivors, she struggles to find a reason to live until someone from her past gives her one. Vengeance.

  Armed with this new goal, Rodan joins the hunt seeking retribution, but what will be the ultimate cost?

  Chapter 1

  Rodan stood in the doorway of the simple one-room structure looking out into the darkness as she dreamt of what her future would hold. In the distance, the light from the End of Harvest festival bonfires glowed and its music echoed throughout the trees. Her intended mate, Jabok, came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her body. The feeling of him draped around her warmed Rodan more than the tightly fastened nazu she wore over her clothing.

  He burrowed his cold nose through her long, brown hair and into her neck. She shrieked and tried to pull out of his grasp, which only made him hold her tighter. After several moments he removed his nose and, laughing, said, “You are so nice and warm.”

  She playfully hit his arm. “Well you would be, too, if you had put on your nazu before you left home,” she replied snuggling into his embrace. “You are old enough to know how cool it gets this time of the annum once the sol sets.”

  “I do not need a nazu to keep me warm. I have you.”

  She smiled. He did have her. And in only one lunar cycle, they would have their bonding ceremony to make it official. She hoped the twenty-eight helios would go by quickly.

  “What were you just thinking about?” Jabok’s gentle voice caressed her ear.

  Rodan turned to face her betrothed and kissed him. “You. Me. Our future.”

  He repaid her kiss with one of his own. Then he turned her around so she could look out the door again and pointed as he spoke. “Here is what I have planned so far. This is going to be the antechamber, so the rest of the house will be built behind where were standing. But in front of us, is what will be cleared for farming.”

  The land in front of them was still untamed, consisting mostly of the standard copper colored grass, dark purple trees with copper leaves, and various other plants and bushes found on Trebor. Still, she stared into the darkness, easily imagining everything taking shape as he described it.

  Rodan pulled away from him and walked back into the dimly lit room toward the small, centrally positioned wooden table. She skimmed her hand along its surface as she ambled around it. “I am glad to know you are just as excited about our future together as I am. And my parents are happy for us as well. I overheard them talking while I was getting dressed for the festival, and they plan to use some of the income they made selling our harvest to hire some of the other families to help us build our home. In fact, I believe it is going to be our bonding ceremony gift from them.”

  “The same with my parents.” Jabok followed her into the room, entwined his fingers with hers, and matched her pace as she circled the table. “I wonder if we should be happy they are helping us build our home so quickly, or, if we should take it as an insult because it means they want to get us out of their homes as fast as possible?” joked Jabok.

  Rodan chuckled. “Hmm. In the case of my parents, I know it is a gift. But for you, on the other hand, I think your mother is tired of you. She has fed and reared you for twenty annums, so I think she is ready to let someone else do it from now on.”

  “Very funny. But the joke is on you because you are the unfortunate creature she is unloading me on.” Jabok laughed louder effectively stifling Rodin’s giggles.

  She stopped moving and turned to stare at him. She crossed her arms and tried to think of a retort, but came up with nothing. The longer she watched him, the harder he chortled. His green eyes filled with tears.

  Finally managing to get control of himself, Jabok stopped laughing and kissed her cheek.

  Rodan softened and smiled. She wrapped her arms around him and lay her head on his chest, the ring he wore on a necklace pressed into her cheek. Jabok embraced her and rested his chin on her head. His body heat seeped through his shirt warming her now chilled ear and face.

  After a few moments of silence, Jabok asked, “Did you happen to see Kada at the festival? I looked for him, but I did not see him anywhere.”

  Rodan stepped out of his embrace and rolled her eyes. She hoped the dim light had kept Jabok from seeing. “No. I did not see him at the festival,” she said in exasperation. “But then, I was not looking for him. Why do you worry about him so much? He is an adult just like us, and he can take care of himself.”

  Jabok sighed. “I worry about him because no one else seems to. We were talking during harvesting and, well, I believe he is finally going to do it.”


  Jabok did not have to explain what he meant by “it”. Both she and Jabok had met Kada when the adults of their encampment, Lewu encampment, had taken him and his fellow survivors in. And even at fourteen annums, all he talked about was the helio when he would be old enough to join one of the Resistor factions as a fighter to avenge his parents’ murder at the hands of The Keepers. Rodan knew Jabok had hoped that with time, his friend would forget about this dangerous notion and settle into life within Lewu. However, the six annums since his arrival had only seemed to harden his resolve.

  “And if he is going to do it, why do you care?”

  Jabok threw his hands into the air. Then he raked his fingers through his short, black hair. “Because he is my friend. If he is leaving, I want to see him off. He thinks cutting himself off from everyone will make what he is going to do easier. But I want him to know he is not alone.”

  She exhaled loudly and walked toward the door. “Fine. Leave me here, alone, and make sure Kada is not doing something stupid. I will walk back to the festival on my own.”

  He grabbed her hand and gazed intently into her eyes. “No, you will not. You are coming with me. Kada is my friend, but you are my mate. Where you go I go, and anywhere I go, you go.”